Enameled sign and method of attaching same



Dec. 6, 1938. w, VAN DYKE 2,139,049

ENAMELED SIGN AND ME'PHOD OF ATTACHING SAME Filed July 18, 1936 F4 1 Fi .2

@JEZANT fnvenior {lb/2n mVdnDyke Q his Aiibrney Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES.

ENAMIELED SIGN AND METHOD OF ATTACH- IN G SAME John W. Van Dyke, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 18, 1936, Serial No. 91,317

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to enameled signs and to a method for attaching enameled signs to metallic supporting means, and relates more particularly to the attaching of baked enamel signs to a metallic surface such as the wall of a tank or like container.

A principal object of this invention is a method for attaching or fastening a porcelain enamel or other ceramic-on-metal sign to a metallic sup porting means by welding or brazing.

A further object of this invention is a method for attaching porcelain enamel signs to a metal surface such as a tank wall, whereby the drilling of holes or other perforations in the tank wall is eliminated.

Heretofore it has been common practice to attach baked enamel signs to a supporting means by employing screws, rivets, bolts and the like. Such practice usually entailed the perforation of both the sign and the supporting means to accommodate the rivets or bolts employed'as the fastening means. The perforation of the walls of fluid containers, for example, tanks utilized in the storage or transportation of inflammable materials such as petroleum oils, gasoline, and the like is undesirable, since leakage through the bolted or riveted connections is a common occurrence. Furthermore, the employment of screws, rivets, or bolts as fastening means generally results in the setting up of stresses in the enamel sign which may cause fracture of the enamel and consequent flaking thereof from the metal base.

In accordance with my invention, these and other difiiculties have been overcome by attaching the baked enamel sign to the metallic supporting means by welding or brazing the sign directly to the supporting means.

My invention will be further understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figures 1 and 3 are side-elevational views of enameled signs attached to the metal wall of a tank, while Figures 2 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the construction, taken through sections A, A and B, B, respectively.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an enameled metal plate or sign 1, preferably conforming to the shape of the metal tank wall I, is disposed adjacent to and preferably in contact with the metal tank wall 2. The enameled plate i is so constructed that the enamel coating 3 covers substantially the entire surface of the plate I except for a relatively narrow border or perimetric section 4 which is exposed or free of enamel. After the enameled plate I is properly positioned with respect to the metal wall 2, the plate is welded or brazed in place along the border or exposed portion 4 thereof, for example, at, a plurality of points 5. Instead of welding at a plurality of separate points along the perimeter of the sign, a continuous weld may be made completely around the border or exposed portion of the plate I. When the sign or plate I is attached to the metal wall by means of a plurality of separate welds, it is usually desirable to interpose a thin layer of a sealing compound between the sign and the metal wall, in order to prevent the seepage of moisture behind the sign and subsequent corrosion thereof due to rusting.

In the manufacture of the enameled metal plate or sign, the porcelain-enamel or other ceramic material is removed from those portions of the sign at which the weld is to be made, prior to the hardening of the enamel, for example, by baking. This procedure leaves, for example, the border or perimetric section of the sign free of enamel, thus permitting the attaching of the sign by welding or brazing, since the heat of such welding or brazing will not fracture or mar the porcelain or ceramic coating adjacent the locus of welding.

In Figures 3 and 4 of the drawing there is shown a modified method of attaching the enameled metal plate or sign i' to a metal supporting means such as a tank wall 2'. In this instance the plate I, coated with porcelain enamel or other ceramic material 3', is provided with a plurality of exposed circular surfaces 4' perforated at 5'. The enameled plate or sign I is disposed upon the tank wall 2' and is attached thereto by welding or brazing about the perforations 5'. The exposed circular surfaces 4' may be filled in or coated with a suitable surfacing material, for example, paint or a plastic composition, upon completion of the welding operation.

While I have described my invention particularly with reference to the method of attaching enameled signs to metal tank walls, I do not intend to be limited thereto, since in accordance with my invention, I may attach enameled signs to any suitable metallic supporting means. The attachment may be efl'ccted by either electric spot, tack or continuous welding, or by gas welding or conventional brazing. In any case, the enameled sign is attached directly to the metallic supporting means, whether it be a tank wall, bracket or other suitable support, without marring the enamel of the sign or otherwise detracting from the appearance thereof,

What I claim is:

The method of attaching to a metalic tank an enameled metal sign provided with an exposed metal surface about the perimeter thereof, which comprises interposing a thin layer of sealing compound between the wall of said tank and said sign. and welding said sign to said tank at a plurality of points along the exposed metal surface defining the perimeter of said sign.

JOHN W. VAN DYKE. 

